In his New York Times column, December 20 , Mr. Fried noted: "In terms of institutions, Trump has personally disparaged the F.B.I. the C.I.A. and the Justice Department." It is not to be expected that the columnist will comment on the report in The Times, December 24 "that a top F.B.I. lawyer and counterintelligence agent traded disparaging text messages about the president."

And how about this for disparagement: "Over the past year..., the FBI's reputation and credibility have suffered substantial damage, and it has affected the entire Department of Justice.

That is deeply troubling to many Department employees and veterans, legislators and citizens." Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein, in his May 9, 2017 memorandum to Attorney General Jeff Sessions, recommending the dismissal of James Comey as director of the FBI.